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| Name: |
Mandy
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Age: |
Ten years old
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| Gender: |
Female
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Kind: |
Yellow Labrador Retriever
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| Home: |
Marlton, New Jersey, USA
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Mandy
was my very best friend. She passed away two years ago, but will
never leave my heart. She taught herself to retrieve the newspaper
and wouldn't let anyone else think of doing "her job" no matter
what the weather. On walks she always held her own leash, and
"permitted" me to accompany her on our walks throughout the
neighborhood. I was known as "Mandy's Mom" by the children who would
ask if she could come out to play. Passing cars would stop to
ask about her and comment on how pretty she was. She had so
much personality and unconditional love. She made us all happy with
her sweetness and licked away tears if anyone was sad. She never
realized how sick she had been since she was one year old. She had
Addison's Disease (her adrenal glands were non-functional) and she
depended on medication to live for her ten years of life. She had so
much personality and gave total unconditional love. I miss her and
will always love her.
Mandy was a very happy dog and never knew how serious her condition
was except when she had a "crisis." Addison's Disease is very
uncommon. It is not predominant in Labrador Retrievers. In fact, the
veterinarian that I took her to had a very large practice (six
physicians) and Mandy and a Standard Poodle were the only animals
with the disease. The poodle had a mild case while Mandy's was severe.
Addison's Disease is caused when the adrenal cortex is destroyed and
no longer produces hormones. The immune system produces antibodies
that attack the body's own tissues. The dog gets very weak,
nauseated and very tired. She took 12 pills of fludrocortisone,
one tablet of predisone and extra salt daily. When she was responding
well to the medicine, which was most of the time, she was a happy
energetic dog.
Stress would cause her to go into a crisis. I went away for five days
once, had three different people she knew come to our house to care
for her throughout the time, and she still went into a crisis because
I wasn't there with her. I had to keep her days very routine for the
most part. She took a lot of special care, but I am thankful that
I was chosen to care for her and love her.
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